For those who are wondering, I can verify that my week 39 build (last week of September) integrates the iphone into the bluetooth system perfectly. It automatically (and correctly) downloads the address book, and the voice dial commands work without having to manually add "voice tags." The sound quality is much better than my old Prius as well. It's actually quite cool!

 

Great news! I'm not convinced I'll end up going with the iPhone, but it's always good when that option exists!

~Neal

 

But you have to have chosen the Bluetooth option when you bought it? I bought it used, how do I know if I have it? I have the button on the MFSW.

 

You'd have to have a communication / bluetooth setup option on your nav or OBC.

 

This thread convinced me to go with the iPhone for my cellular upgrade. My MINI will not have the iPod attachment (as I doubt I'll use the iPhone for music storage, nor will I desire to navigate to individual MP3s while behind the wheel). I do question, however, whether the ability to charge the iPhone and use the integrated antenna is an option if I have the bluetooth package. I'm still confused as to what the bluetooth package offers in the center console, if I don't get any of the BMW cradles.

TIA,
~Neal

 

It adds the "mute" button. When pressed this allows you to use the handset (without dropping the call) instead of the handsfree option.

 

There's also a plug in the armrest that if you get the right adapter will allow you to charge a phone. I don't know if the adapter exists for the iPhone or not. If you're getting the Nav system, the iPhone interface is quite cool, and so is the iPod interface. I resurrected an old 20 GB iPod that I now leave in the car and the iPhone stays in my purse and is basically a video-internet device rather than my car iPod.

 

I see. So if your trip ended before your phone call, you could continue talking after you got out of the vehicle. That sounds fairly important.

Sounds like no cradles/connectors/adaptors exist to connect an iPhone to the MINI's antenna?

I know that I will not want to surf through MP3s from behind the wheel, so the iPod kit is not an attractive expendature for me.

~Neal

 

The iPhone inserted into a sleeve (which doesn't exist yet) could be too wide for the armrest.

 

Do you get antenna information on your Nav display with the iPhone?

 

I just see signal or no signal -- not a graduated bar.

 

Yea, I just get the connected antenna icon and not the graduated bar that can be seen in the bluetooth manual. I thought it was the iPhone but in another review for the iPhone it appears the it publishes both signal and battery information over bluetooth. Also another thing I find rather annoying is if I'm on a call and get into and start the car the phone immediately connects to the cars bluetooth but it isn't ready to be used in the car for 30-40 seconds. Thankfully the iPhone allows you to quickly and easily change audio sources so I can change back the the handset and wait for the antenna icon to appear and switch back to the car.

 

I fyou have an earlier build MINI the dealer can update your programming to work fully with the iPod - but - they will charge for it.